Dopamine is the excitement you feel when you expect a reward. A hungry lion expects a reward when she sees an isolated gazelle. A thirsty elephant expects a reward when he sees signs of a water hole. Dopamine unleashes your reserve tank of energy when you see a way to meet a need. Even when you’re just sitting still, dopamine motivates you to scan a lot of detail to find a pattern that’s somehow relevant to your needs. When you find details that are “just right,” it feels good. Finding the puzzle piece you’re looking for feels good because of dopamine.
